Harvey Recovery Plan

[Jim Cummings]

Texas proposes $61 billion Harvey Recovery Plan

HOUSTON (Houston Chronicle) – Governor Greg Abbott and top state leaders proposed a Harvey recovery plan to Washington officials and the Texas legislature Tuesday.

The Rebuild Texas plan is estimated to cost $61 billion. It includes funding for three "coastal spines" to control flooding, new reservoirs, and buyouts of thousands of properties. It mirrors much of a longstanding plan in Harris County to buy out properties in the most flood-prone areas.

About 60 percent of the funding would go to "future proof" flood-prone areas. The rest would fund buyouts and elevating buildings in low-lying regions along the coast.

Recently, the official total Harvey damage estimate was increased to $180 billion. The state's new request for federal funding includes only part of that.

The projects were chosen from a list of needs by county and local officials. It includes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects that could mitigate the potential for future storm damage.

The list is not all-inclusive, and other projects could be added down the line.